Tong with One-Handed Locking Mechanism

ABSTRACT

A tong with a lock that can be actuated using one hand without changing a grip on the tong and without having to change an orientation of the tong. The lock can be engaged and disengaged. by squeezing arms of the tong together. The lock can have a latch on one arm and a strike on the other arm. When the arms are squeezed together the strike engages the latch into a locked configuration. From the locked configuration, when the arms are squeezed again, the latch releases the strike.

TECHNICAL HELD

This invention relates to tongs, such as those used in in cooking.

BACKGROUND

Tongs are a very common cooking utensil used in the kitchen and atbarbeques allowing the cook to pick up food items without being tooclose to the heat. The tong allows the cook to add food into the hotcooking area, flip foods, remove food, and the like. Generally, the tonghas two arms connected by a spring-loaded hinge at one end allowing thefree end to be squeezed to grasp the food item.

Oftentimes it is convenient to have the tong arms locked in place,particularly, in the closed configuration. The most popular lockingmechanism is the use of a pull tab located at the hinge where the firstarm is connected to the second arm. In order to lock the tong in theclosed configuration, the cook closes the tong with one hand and pullson the tab with a free hand. To unlock the tong, the cook holds the tongin one hand and pushes the tab back towards the hinge. Thus, this commonlocking mechanism requires both hands to lock and unlock the tong arms.Other locks require the user to shift his or her grip to access thelock.

To overcome the need for two hands or shifting grips to lock and unlockthe tong arms, another popular mechanism is the use of a gravity-basedlock. With the gravity-based locks, the user squeezes the tongs togetherand the user holds the distal ends upward or downward to allow gravityto pull the lock into a locked or unlocked configuration. These tongsrequire the added motion of changing the orientation of the tongs, whichmay not always be desirable. For example, if there are liquids, oils, orsauces on the distal end of the tong, the user may not want to hold thedistal end upward and allow the liquid, oil, or sauce to drip towardsthe hinge.

For the foregoing reasons there is a need for a tong that can be lockedor unlocked with a single hand, without changing the grip on the tong,and without having to change the orientation of the tong,

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a tong that can be locked orunlocked with a single hand, without changing the grip on the tong, andwithout having to change the orientation of the tong. The tong utilizesa locking mechanism positioned on the interior surface of the arms thatcan lock together simply by squeezing the arms together, and unlocksimply by squeezing the arms together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the presentinvention in the open and unlocked configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a close up of an embodiment of the hinge and lockingmechanism with a portion of the arms removed to see inside the arms;

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the closed and lockedconfiguration.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of thepresent invention from the interior side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodimentsof the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms inwhich the present invention may be constructed or utilized, Thedescription sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps forconstructing and operating the invention in connection with theillustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the sameor equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritand scope of the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5 the invention of the present invention is atong 100 having two arms 102, 202, and an lock 300 that can be engagedto lock the arms 102, 202 in place, and disengaged to allow the arms102, 202 to move, with one hand and without having to move the user'sfinger positioning or change the orientation of the tong 100,simply bysqueezing the arms 102, 202 together, As such, the user can use the tong100 as intended, and when the user wants to lock the arms 102, 202, theuser can simply squeeze the tong 100 with nothing in between the arms102, 202, and disengage the lock, again without adjusting the user'sgrips or changing the tong 100 orientation, simply by squeezing the arms102, 202 together. Thus, the same action (squeezing the arms 102, 202)for locking the arms 102, 202 is the same action for unlocking the arms102, 202.

The tong 100 comprises a first arm 102 having a first proximal end 104,a first distal end 106 opposite the first proximal end 104, a firstinner surface 108 in between the first proximal end 104 and the firstdistal end 106, and a first outer surface 110 opposite the first innersurface 108 and in be first proximal end 104 and the first distal end106. The tong 100 also comprises a second arm 202 having a secondproximal 204, a second distal end 206 opposite the second proximal end204, a second inner surface 208 in between the second proximal end 204and the second distal end 206, and a second outer surface 10 oppositethe second inner surface 208 and in between the second proximal end 204and the second distal end 206. The first arm 102 is connected to thesecond arm 202 by a hinge 150 at the first and second proximal ends 104,204.

The arms 102, 202 can be made of a rigid material, such as metal,plastic, wood, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the arms 102,202 are generally straight such that when the first distal end 106touches the second distal end 206, the first arm 102 and the second arm202 are substantially parallel as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . For example,as measured at the proximal ends 104, 204, when the first distal end 106is in contact with the second distal end 206, the firm arm 102 and thesecond arm 202 arm form an angle of about 15 degrees or less. Morepreferably, the angle may be about 10 degrees or less. Most preferably,the angle may be about 5 degrees or less.

The first proximal end 104 of the first arm 102 and the second proximalend 204 of the second arm 202 are connected by a hinge 150. The hinge150 allows the distal ends 106, 206 to move towards and away from eachother to allow the user to pick up objects at the distal ends 106, 206.As shown in FIG. 5 , a tong spring 152 can be placed at the hinge 150imposing a biasing force against the first arm 102 and the second arm202 causing the first distal end 106 to remain separated and distal fromthe second distal end 206 as shown in FIG. 1. In the preferredembodiment, the first distal end 106 can have a first flexible tip 112,and the second distal end 206 can have a second flexible tip 212. Theflexible tips 112, 212 can be made of a durable yet flexible material,such as silicone, plastic, rubber, and the like.

The flexibility of the tips 112, 212 facilitates in the lockingmechanism, Specifically, the lock 300 is mounted on the first arm 102and the second arm 202 such that order for the lock 300 to engage, thefirst arm 102 and the second arm 202 must be closer to each other thanthey are when the first flexible tip 112 just touches the secondflexible tip 12. Thus, when the first flexible tip 112 just touches thesecond flexible tip 212, the first and second arms are not lockedtogether. Rather, the arms 102, 202 must over-travel causing theflexible tips 112, 212 to bend slightly to allow the arms 102, 20″2 tocome even closer to each other to allow the lock 300 to engage as shownin FIG. 3 and lock the arms 102, 202 together. This over-travel featurereduces the probability of the first and second arms 102, 202inadvertently locking during regular use. In other words, when pickingup a small or thin piece of material with the tongs 100, the user wouldnot w the tongs 100 to lock inadvertently because the first arm 102 istoo close to the second arm 202,

In embodiments with the flexible tips 112, 212, the first inner surface108 of the first arm 102 can define a first channel 114, and the secondinner surface 208 of the second arm 202 can define a second channel 214as shown in FIG. 5 . The first channel 114 and the second channel 14provide depth for the first d second arms 102, respectively, to providespace to mount the first flexible tip 112 and second flexible tip 212 onto the first arm 102 and second arm 202, respectively.

In the preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism can be in the form ofa latch 301 and strike 302, such as the grab catch sold by Grainger. Thelatch 301 can be mounted on the first inner surface 108 of the first arm102. The strike 302 can be mounted on the second inner surface 208 ofthe second arm 202. The latch 301 and strike 302 are configured toconnect to each other when the first arm 102 and the second arm 202 areadjacent to each other.

In the preferred embodiment, the lock 300 comprises a latch 301 and astrike 302, in the engaged and locked configuration, the latch 301receives and engages the strike 302 to prevent the strike from beingremoved from the latch. With reference to FIG. 2 , the latch 301 cancomprise a housing 310 mounted on the first inner surface 108 and aspring-loaded catch 312 mounted on the housing 310. The spring-loadedcatch 312 can have a post 314 and a clasp 316 connected to the post 314,A spring 318 inside the housing can bias against the post 314.

The strike 302 can comprise a base 320 attached to the second innersurface 208 and a flanged head 322 opposite the base 320. The latch 301and strike 302 are configured to connect to each other in a lockedconfiguration when the first arm 102 and the second arm 202 aresubstantially parallel to each other. In the engaged and lockedconfiguration, the flanged head 322 abuts against the post 314 with theclasp 316 surrounding the flanged head 322 as shown in FIG. 3 . In thepreferred embodiment, when the strike 302 is pressed against the post314 of the latch 301, the strike 302 pushes the post 314 deeper into thehousing 310. When the post 314 descends into the housing 310 it drawsthe clasp 316 together causing the clasp 316 to close around the flangedhead 322 as the clasp 316 and the flanged head 322 enter into thehousing 310. Inside the housing 310 is a latch spring 318 abuttingagainst the post 314 creating a biasing force against the post 314 topush the post 314 out of the housing 310. When the post 314 is pusheddeep enough into the housing 310 an internal catch (not shown) locks thepost 314 in place, and when the squeezing pressure is released, the arms102, 202 are locked in place, Squeezing the arms 102, 202 again causesthe internal catch to release and the latch spring 318 pushes the post314 outwardly causing the clasp 316 to emerge from the housing 310 andopen, which releases the strike 302, while the tong spring 152 causesthe distal ends 106, 206 of the arms 102, 202 to separate,

In the preferred embodiment, the latch 301 and the strike 302 arepositioned on the first and second arms 102, 202 in a manner that whenthe locked configuration with the strike 302 engaged with the latch 301,the first distal end 106 touches the second distal end 206. Inembodiments with the first and second flexible tips 112, 212 the firstand second flexible tips 112, 212 are the distal ends 106, 206, and thefirst and second flexible tips 112, 212 touch each other in the lockedconfiguration at their free ends.

In the preferred embodiment, in the locked configuration, the latch 301and the strike 302 are entirely interior to the first outer surface 110and the second outer surface 210. In this configuration, because thelatch 301 and the strike 302 are located interiorly, the latch 301 andstrike 30 are unlikely to be touched during normal use when the tong 100is held in a natural and comfortable manner. When the tong 100 ishandled naturally and properly, the user's hands only make contact withthe first and second outer surfaces 110, 210 and the sides of the tong100, and not the interior surfaces 108, 208. As such unlike other tongsin which the locking mechanism is exposed on the exterior surface, thetong 100 of the present invention has no chance for the user toinadvertently disengage the lock 300 by inadvertently touching any partof the locking mechanism.

In the preferred embodiment, the latch 301 and the strike 312 areconfigured along the first and second arms 102, 202, respectively, tolock only when the first flexible tip 106 is compressed against thesecond flexible tip 206. In other words, just be the nature of the firstflexible tip 106 touching the second flexible tip 206 is not sufficientto cause the latch 301 and the strike 302 to lock. Rather, sufficientsqueezing force must be applied car sing the first flexible tip 106 andthe second flexible tip 206 to flex or bend away from each other beforethe latch 301 catches the strike 302. This configuration reduces thechances of the latch 301 catching the strike 302 during normal use whenthe user does not intend to lock the tong 100.

To facilitate locking the arms 102, 202 at the proper positioning, thelatch 301 can reside inside the first channel 114, and the strike 302can reside inside the second channel 214, Preferably , a portion of thelatch 301 can protrude out from the first channel 114 directedinteriorly towards the strike 302, and a portion of the strike 302 canprotrude out from the second channel 214 directed interiorly toy cardsthe latch 301. Preferably, the portion of the latch 301 that protrudesout from the first channel 114 is at least the clasp 312, and theportion of the strike 302 that protrudes out from the second channel 214is the flanged head 322, Because the latch 301 and the strike 302protrude interiorly, no portion of the latch 301 or the strike 302protrudes from the exterior surface of the arms 102, 202 where thelocking mechanism can be accidentally dislodged.

In the preferred embodiment, the latch 301 and strike 302 are configuredto disconnect from each other from the locked configuration when thefirst arm 102 and second arm 202 are squeezed towards each other.Therefore, if the user locks the tong 100 in the closed configurationand keeps the tong 100 in the user's hands, in order to unlock the arms102, 202 while maintaining the same grip, the user simply has to squeezethe arms 102, 202 together a little closer and the latch 301 releasesthe strike 302. Thus, there is no need to shift the positioning of thehands on the tong 100, there is no need to look for a release button,there is no need for the user to use his or her opposite hand to releasethe lock, there is no need to change the orientation of the tong 100,and the like. The present invention allows the tong 100 to lock andunlock using only the natural movement for using a tong, namely,squeezing the arms 102, 202.

In the preferred embodiment, the latch 301 and the strike 302 are fixedalong the first arm 102 and second arm 202, respectively. In someembodiments, the latch 301 and the strike 342 can be adjustable alongthe length of the first and second arms 102, 202. Stops may be placed atset positions along the first and second arms 102, 202 so that the latch301 and the strike 302 can be properly aligned. In the preferredembodiment, the lock 300 is positioned towards the middle portion of thearms 102, 202. For example, the lock 300 may be positioned at leastapproximately 2 inches from the hinge 150 towards the distal ends 106,206. In some embodiments, the lock 300 may be at least approximately 3inches from the hinge 150 towards the distal ends 106, 206. In someembodiments, the lock 300 may be at least approximately 4 inches fromthe hinge 150 towards the distal ends 106, 206. In some embodiments, thelock 300 may be at least approximately 5 inches from the hinge 150towards the distal ends 106, 206. In some embodiments, the lock 300 maybe at least approximately 6 inches from the hinge 150 towards the distalends 106, 206. In some embodiments, the lock 300 may be at leastapproximately 7 inches from the hinge 150 towards the distal ends 106,206. For longer tongs 100, the lock 300 can be even farther away fromthe hinge 150 and closer to the distal ends 106, 206. The lock 300 canbe fastened to the arms 102, 202 using any type of fastening mechanism,such as adhesives, screws, welding, tongue and groove, and the like. Insome embodiments, an opening 156 may have to be created through the arms102, 202 to accommodate the lock 300.

In some embodiments, the tong 100 can further comprise a secondary lock154 adjacent to the joint 150 to assist in keeping the arms 102, 202 inthe locked configuration. For example, if the user does not intend onusing the tong 100 for a prolonged period of time, to reduce the stressof the tong spring 152 on the latch 301 and strike 302, the secondarylock 154 can be employed to keep the first arm 102 and second arm 202together. The secondary lock 154 can prolong the life of the latch 301and strike 302.

In use, the user uses the tong 100 as tongs are normally intended. Whenthe user wants to lock the arms 102, 202 in place, the user squeezes thearms 102, 202 together compressing the first flexible tip 112 againstthe second flexible tip 212 to lock the latch 301 with the strike 302.To unlock the tong 100, without moving a position of any fingers on thefirst and second arms 102, 202, the user squeezes the first arm 102towards the second arm 202 to release the latch 301 from the strike 302.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. any modifications and variations possible inlight of the above teaching, It is intended that the scope of theinvention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claimsand the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tong, comprising: a) a first arm having a firstproximal end, a first distal end opposite the first proximal end, afirst inner surface in between the first proximal end and the firstdistal end, and a first outer surface opposite the first inner surfaceand in between the first proximal end and the first distal end, whereinthe first proximal end comprises a first flexible tip; b) a second armhaving a second proximal end, a second distal end opposite the secondproximal end, a second inner surface in between the second proximal endand the second distal end, and a second outer surface opposite thesecond inner surface and in between the second proximal end and thesecond distal end, wherein the second proximal end comprises a secondflexible tip, wherein he first proximal end and the second proximal endare connected b a hinge;) c) a latch mounted on the first inner surfaceof the first arm, wherein the latch comprises a housing and aspring-loaded catch mounted inside the housing, wherein thespring-loaded catch comprises a post and a clasp connected to the post;and d) a strike mounted on the second inner surface of the second arm,the strike comprising a base attached to the second inner surface and aflanged head opposite the base, wherein the latch and strike areconfigured to connect to each other in a locked configuration when thy:first arm and the second arm are substantially parallel to each other,herein in the locked configuration, the flanged head abuts against thepost with the clasp surrounding the flanged head inside the housing,wherein in the locked configuration, the first distal end touches thesecond distal end, wherein in the locked configuration the latch and thestrike are entirely interior to the first outer surface and the secondouter surface, wherein the latch and the strike are fixed along thefirst arm and second arm, respectively, wherein the first inner surfacedefines a first channel, and the second inner surface defines a secondchannel, herein the latch resides in the first channel, and the strikeresides in the second channel, wherein the clasp of the latch protrudesout from the first channel, and the flanged head of the strike protrudesout frog the second channel.
 2. A tong, comprising: a) a first armhaving a first proximal end, a first distal end opposite the firstproximal end, a first inner surface in between the first proximal endand the first distal end, and a first outer surface opposite the firstinner surface and in between the first proximal end and the first distalend; b) a second arm having a second proximal end, a second distal endopposite the second proximal end, a second inner surface in between thesecond proximal end and the second distal end, and a second outersurface opposite the second inner surface and in between the secondproximal end and the second distal end, wherein the first proximal endand the second proximal end are connected by a hinge; c) a latch mountedon the first inner surface of the first arm and protruding away from thefirst arm towards the second arm; and d) a strike mounted on the secondinner surface of the second arm and protruding away from the second armtowards the first arm, wherein the latch and strike are configured toconnect to each other when the first arm the second arm are adjacent toeach other.
 3. The tong of claim 2, wherein in the locked configuration,the first distal end abuts against the second distal end.
 4. The tong ofclaim wherein the first proximal end comprises a first flexible tip, andthe second proximal end comprises a second flexible tip.
 5. The tong ofclaim 4, wherein in the locked configuration the latch and the strikeare entirely interior to the first outer surface and the second outersurface.
 6. The tong of claim 5, wherein the latch and strike areconfigured along the first and second arms, respectively, to lock onlywhen the first flexible tip is compressed against the second flexibletip.
 7. The tong of claim 6, wherein the latch and strike are configuredto disconnect from each other from the locked configuration when thefirst arm is squeezed towards the second arm.
 8. The tong of claim 7,wherein the latch and the strike are fixed along the first arm andsecond arm, respectively.
 9. The tong of claim 8, wherein the firstinner surface defines a first channel, and the second inner surfacedefines a second channel, wherein the latch resides in the firstchannel, and the strike resides inside the second channel.
 10. The tongof claim 9, wherein a portion of the latch protrudes out from the firstchannel, and a portion of the strike protrudes out from the secondchannel.
 11. The tong of claim 10, wherein the latch comprises a housingand a spring-loaded catch mounted inside the housing, wherein thespring-loaded catch comprises a post and a clasp connected to the post,wherein the strike comprises a base attached to the second inner surfaceand a flanged head opposite the base, wherein the latch and strike areconfigured to connect to each other in a locked configuration when thefirst arm and the second arm are substantially parallel to each other,wherein in the locked configuration, the flanged head abuts againsthepost with the clasp surrounding the flanged head inside the housing. 12.The tong of claim 11, wherein the portion of the latch that protrudesout from the first channel is at least the clasp, and the portion of thestrike that protrudes out from the second channel is the flanged head.13. The tong of claim 12, further comprising a secondary lock adjacentto the joint.
 14. The tong of claim 2, wherein the latch comprises ahousing and a spring-loaded catch mounted inside the housing, whereinthe spring-loaded catch comprises a post and a clasp connected to thepost, wherein the strike comprises a base attached to the second innersurface and a flanged head opposite the base, wherein the latch andstrike are configured to connect to each other in a locked configurationwhen the first arm and the second arm are substantially parallel to eachother, wherein in the locked configuration, the flanged head abutsagainst the post with the clasp surrounding the flanged head inside thehousing.
 15. The tong of claim 2, wherein the first inner surfacedefines a first channel, and the second inner surface defines a secondchannel, wherein the latch resides in the first channel and the strikeresides inside the second channel, wherein a portion of the latchprotrudes out from the first channel, and a portion of the strikeprotrudes out from the second channel.
 16. The tong of claim 2, whereinthe latch and strike are configured to disconnect from each other fromthe locked configuration when the first arm is squeezed towards thesecond arm.
 17. The tong of claim 5, wherein the latch and strike areconfigured along the first and second arms, respectively, to lock onlywhen the first flexible tip is compressed against the second flexibletip.
 18. A method of using a tong, comprising: a) providing a tongcomprising: i) a first arm having a first n a first distal end oppositethe first proximal end, a first inner surface in between the firstproximal end and the first distal end, and a first outer surfaceopposite the inner surface and in bet wen the first proximal end and thefirst distal end; ii) a second arm having a second proximal end, asecond distal end opposite the second proximal end, a second innersurface in between the second proximal end and the second distal end,and a second outer surface opposite the second inner surface and inbetween the second proximal end and the second distal end, wherein thefirst proximal end and the second proximal end are connected by a hinge;iii) a latch mounted on the first inner surface of the first arm; andiv) a strike mounted on the second inner surface of the second arm,wherein the latch and strike are configured to connect to each otherwhen the first arm and the second arm are adjacent to each other; b)using one hand, squeezing the first arm towards the second arm until thelatch locks with the strike.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thefirst proximal end comprises a first flexible tip, and the secondproximal end comprises a second flexible tip, and wherein the methodfurther comprises compressing the first flexible tip ag inst the secondflexible tip to lock the latch with the strike.
 20. The method of claim19, further comprising, without moving a position of any fingers on thefirst and second arms, squeezing the first arm towards the second arm torelease the latch from the strike.